WITH HOLLIDAY ON ICE, HICKS IS HOMEWARD BOUND

(June 8, 2017 - Source: Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America)

With a big assist from Abe Almonte, a former Yankee outfield prospect who misplayed a Jacoby Ellsbury fly ball, the Bombers managed to score eight runs against the Indians Sunday in their series-tying finale. That's as many runs as they've scored in their prior five games combined.

But while Ells' three-run gift from Almonte was charitably scored a triple, Torreyes and Judge were the only others who managed to hit a ball safely with runners in scoring position (including the latter's league leading 35th dinger) as the welcome scoring outburst masked a continuing issue with situational hitting and yet another  small village of base runners stranded on the base paths.

Photo: Getty Images

And while Joe may feel putting El Kraken's bat in a timeout for a couple of days was a constructive way to coach away his passed ball problem, after watching Romine go 0-for-7 and whiff four times in his place the last two games it was definitely a step in the wrong direction.

Fortunately, another batting option is about to step up to the plate.

Photo: Times Leader

After five rehab games with the Triple A RailRiders, Aaron Hicks has batted .375  with a 1.069 OPS.  He finished the team's home stand Sunday with quite the flourish, according to the Times Leader's DJ Eberle.

"Dating back to the sixth inning of Saturday’s 3-1 win over Pawtucket, when Hicks led off the inning with a single to right, the Yankees outfielder has strung together six straight plate appearances with productive results. After singling and tripling in his final two at-bats the day prior, Hicks was 2 for 3 with a double, two runs scored and a walk on Sunday. The 27-year-old’s lone out in the 7-5 win came in the fifth inning when Pawtucket right fielder Rusney Castillo robbed a home run from him."

Photo: Times Leader

The Castillo pick of Hicks' would-be dinger from above the wall  denied the Yankee outfielder the cycle in four consecutive at bats.

Here's the live look and video replay of Aaron Hicks' home run being stolen by Pawtucket's Rusney Castillo. #Yankees pic.twitter.com/B8A8v10yy3

— DJ Eberle (@ByDJEberle) August 6, 2017

Quite the play by Rusney Castillo to rob Aaron Hicks of a homer. Hicks would've had a cycle over his last four ABs. pic.twitter.com/gmWoPtUPNC

— Conor Foley (@RailRidersTT) August 6, 2017

“Just being able to make solid contact and I feel like within all those at-bats I’ve been able to lay off pitches, which gives me a good sign that I’m seeing the ball and also being able to make solid contact,” Hicks said. “Today I felt really good on both sides of the plate. Just getting that feel back, you know? And today felt really good. Ready to go and just waiting to get those (at-bats) from both sides of the plate.”

After the game, as the team prepared to leave for Georgia for a southern road trip, Hicks announced he'd been given an off day to head to New York to "grab some clothes" before joining  the Double A Trenton Thunder on Tuesday in Hartford -- a convenient commute to the Bronx  where the Yankees will just happen to be starting their home stand against the Red Sox a few days later.

Aaron Hicks: "I'm a go back home to New York, get a change of clothes and head to Hartford." #Yankees https://t.co/Wgj3V0ZInt

— DJ Eberle (@ByDJEberle) August 6, 2017

With Holliday on the DL and Headley's bat finding rejuvenated productivity in the less strenuous first baseman's role, I would expect Garrett Cooper to be heading southbound shortly and Hicks and his switch-hitting lumber joining the battle with Boston in the Bronx.

You also might as well start calling the DH the "Daily Horoscope" from now on.  No more designated anything from here on in. Joe will use it to "rest" hot regulars and get slumping . regulars "started."  Every day will be a complete surprise and good for a chuckle or a growl, depending on your particular sense of humor and tolerance for  Joe's obsessive-compulsive shenanigans.

You thought he just played binder bingo games with his bullpen? Just watch what he does with an open lineup spot now  that he has every new toy he could want from management, no excuses and his job potentially on the line.

Like everything else this wild and crazy rebuilding season, it should be fun to watch.

It's just a pity Matt won't be around to see it.

--Barry Millman
BYB Writer
Follow me on Twitter: @nyyankeefanfore

THE ROAR OF KING CC

Yup... we were convinced CC Sabathia no longer had it in him.  Then something happened.  We wrote SORRY CC, BUT ENOUGH'S ENOUGH! and published it before game time. Well... CC got mad and with that, he pitched a terrific 6 innings giving up just 3 hits and 1 run to the Sox.  That's it!

He also struck out 8.   CC Sabathia is not done... and we're glad.

Jacoby Ellsbury was the difference tonight when he cranked out a solo home run in the 7th.  Before that, in the bottom of the third, Alex Rodriguez doubled to knock in Brett Gardner.

The Sox knotted it at 1 when Rusney Castillo singled in a run.  But yeah... it was the 7th that Ellsbury was the difference maker.  After that Betances and Miller shut the damn door.

We just won 2 of 3 against the rival Red Sox.  If we keep winning each series, not necessarily every game... we are guaranteed the playoffs.  Let's do that, huh?

Final: Yankees 2 - Red Sox 1

You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in history. Now shop at the Bleeding Yankee Blue store!  Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook!  Also, don't forget to check out the BYB Hub!

WILL THE YANKEES SNAG CUBAN, YOAN MONCADA?

Baseball America says the Yankees are a "favorite". I call that a "guess."  That's because it is.

The Yankees track record with Cuban players is terrible and I say that with who has been out there, who Yankee fans have gotten their hopes up about and then... nothing.

Do we need to go down the list?

Aledmys Diaz- He went to the Cardinals
Rusney Castillo- He went to the Red Sox
Daniel Carbonell- He went to the San Francisco Giants

Yoenis Cespedes- Signed with the A's

Those are just a few. In fairness, they did sign Adonis Garcia, read YANKEES SIGN CUBAN ADONIS GARCIA from May 2012.

Now, Brendan Kuty of NJ.com writes this, of another Cuban sensation, Yoan Moncada:

"...the Yankees will be the team to beat, according to a report from Baseball America’s Ben Badler.

Badler listed the eight teams most likely to fight for the 19-year-old, who brings impressive power and speed for an infielder. He’ll be attractive to just about every team, but to the Yankees for several reasons, the report said.

One, since the Yankees have already blown past their MLB-imposed spending limit for this international signing period, which ends July 2, they have nothing to lose, the report said...

Two, the Yankees’ biggest holes near the top at their farm system are at shortstop and third base — both places where they’re looking for major-league starters for 2015, as well.

And the third: Their wallets."

Now, based on that, I would love to have Moncada in New York.  But, here's the reality. If the Yankees like Yoan Moncada, I have no serious indication that it's going to happen.  That could only mean 2 things:

• The Yankees are planning a sneak attack and sign him in the dead of night... something Brian Cashman does brilliantly.

• They are interested, but aren't going to break the bank for him.

And to be honest, it's as simple as that.  You don't need to analyze Sabermetrtics or read the top Baseball publications or talk to baseball insiders on this rumor.  That's because it's a rumor with no clear cut answer... yet.

It's 50-50. Moncada could end up in pinstripes. He also may not.

Carry on...

SteinerSports.com Online Exclusive Holiday Deals!

 You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in history. Now shop at the Bleeding Yankee Blue store!  Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook!

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER CUBAN THE YANKEES MIGHT LIKE

I'm tired of the Cuban guys that the Yankees have private showcases with, only to pass them up because they "weren't the right fit" or they "really weren't that interested" in the first place.  I'm at the point where I'm willing to wait to be sure the Yankees sign a Cuban guy. 

That being said, we need to report this stuff because it's important to the baseball world and to the New York Yankees. After all, it's the off season. Yankee fans like to see action.  So, let's bring you what we know, shall we?

Yoan Moncada is a stud.  MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez says:

" Moncada has established residence in Guatemala and will hold a showcase for interested teams on November 12. Moncada is waiting to be unblocked by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) before he can sign with a major league team.

Moncada is 19 and is a switch hitter, drawing praise from scouts as “the next Jorge Soler“. Naturally, he has also drawn comparisons to Yasiel Puig, Rusney Castillo, and Yasmany Tomas."

You remember the other guys right? All those guys are guys the Yanks were possibly "in" on, only to be "out" for a variety of reasons.  Not sure why the Yankees won't pull the trigger on certain Cuban players. I guess it's whatever fits their needs at the time and the timing is off. Well, I will tell you this though, Moncada is appealing to me. Moncada can play shortstop, and last time I checked, we need one.

Kiley McDaniel of Fangraphs says this of Moncada:

"Moncada is 19 and packs a lot of tools into his 6’1/210 frame. He’s a plus-plus runner with above average raw power from both sides of the plate and the tools/skills to stick in the infield, possibly at shortstop. Moncada is the quick-twitch type with big bat speed that clubs covet and his track record of hitting at big tournaments and in Cuba’s professional leagues is excellent considering his age."

The Yankees will no doubt be at the November 19th showcase.  We'll report more on Moncada then... don't get crazy... you know the Yankees track record with the Cuban players. They are slow...or is it considered overly cautious. You tell me...

You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in history. Now shop at the Bleeding Yankee Blue store!  Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook!

RUSNEY CASTILLO LANDS IN BEANTOWN

Quick note on Rusney Castillo, because as you know, the Yankees at one point were "all in" to land the Cuban sensation. Well, it turns out the Boston Red Sox have in fact landed him.   Oh boy...

According to ESPN:

"The Boston Red Sox have come to terms on a seven-year, $72.5 million deal for Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo, a team source said Friday.

The contract is a record amount in total dollars paid for a free-agent amateur. Castillo was en route to Boston on Friday, according to ESPN's Pedro Gomez, and was expected to undergo a physical on Saturday."

So there you have it, another Cuban that the Yankees were in on, only to pass on.

Carry on.

You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in history. Now shop at the Bleeding Yankee Blue store!  Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook!

YANKEES END PURSUIT OF RUSNEY CASTILLO

Pete Caldera strikes again!

Caldera of the Bergen record has a hot scoop on Cuban phenom Rusney Castillo, after Bleeding Yankee Blue reported last night that the Yankees were in fact "in" on Castillo.  We wrote that in RUSNEY CASTILLO SWEEPSTAKES EXCITEMENT!

Thanks to Caldera of the Bergen Record, it's being reported that the Yankees tune has changed:

"The Yankees have ended any pursuit of Cuban outfielder/second baseman Rusney Castillo, according to an industry source. For the Yanks, Castillo’s potential salary — possibly in the $10 million-per-year-or-greater range — would have come with a hefty luxury-tax hit." 

All very interesting, and I don't doubt Caldera one bit. It's a shame... Castillo looked like a real catch.

Sources say that Castillo could either end up in Detroit or Boston.

The best part of this story ladies and gentlemen isn't Castillo to me. It's the fact that Caldera, always underrated, got the scoop, yet the "real baseball insiders" don't have it.  Love it.

Way to go Pete.
 
You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in history. Now shop at the Bleeding Yankee Blue store!  Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook! 

RUSNEY CASTILLO SWEEPSTAKES EXCITEMENT!

I'm not here to lie to you... I got nothing.

All I can tell you that George King III of the New York Post says that certain teams are "all in" and a decision to sign Rusney Castillo is coming.  Who will sign him? No one really knows, but this is what King writes:

"According to several teams with interest in the 27-year-old, who hasn’t played an organized game in a year, the Phillies are the favorite. However, that isn’t a consensus.

Most teams like the 5-foot-9, 205 pounder as an outfielder, but the Yankees also think he might be able to play second base. They could have a need there next season if Martin Prado has to play right field or third base."

What does it all truly mean? Nothing, other than to get you excited.  You want more excitement? Watch Castillo's highlight video:


Stay  tuned...

You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in history. Now shop at the Bleeding Yankee Blue store!  Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook!

WILL THE YANKEES GET THEIR MOST COVETED CUBAN?

 No, I don't mean a cigar.  I mean Rusney Castillo. George King III of the New York Post calls him the "Cuban Phenom", and writes:

"The Cuban defector, whom the Yankees like as a second baseman while other clubs believe him to be an outfielder, still has private workouts scheduled this week. 

Castillo, 27, worked out for the Yankees at their minor league complex Friday. He has worked out for the Phillies, Red Sox and Cubs and held a showcase in Miami for 28 teams, which the Yankees had four scouts attend. 

According to a person familiar with the situation, Castillo, who already has received offers, will sift through them and possibly make a decision about which one to take next week. It’s not known whether the Yankees are among the teams who have made Castillo an offer."

So what does it mean? It means the Yankees are interested but we know nothing more. In all honesty. it's a waiting game.  Now, I did find 1 part of this article interesting. King mentioned the Yankees see him as a second baseman, probably because of his 5'9" frame, but other teams see him as an outfielder.  Look, Castillo plays both, but it raises questions about Rob Refsnyder's future at second base for the Yankees as well.

We here at BYB have called for the Yankees to bring up Refsnyder in an attempt to utilize that .300 bat and young energy to maybe spark a flame under the asses of the Yankees offense.  Read  HEY HAL, LESS TALK... MORE ACTION!. Bottom line is, Hal Steinbrenner can talk all he wants.  He can tell a team to "step it up", but if you don't break old routines and add in some energy, you'll never motivate a club.  Refsnyder, in my opinion is the solution for that energy. He's also the Yankees future at 2nd. Now though, new questions arise. Castillo is also being considered, and if a offer goes his way from the Yankees, how will it all shake down?

It is interesting.  Sometimes I feel like the Yankees are the kid that wants to play with all the toys, even if they don't need them.

I will say this though, Castillo sounds like the real deal, but we're gonna have to see what happens. Stay tuned...

You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in history. Now shop at the Bleeding Yankee Blue store!  Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook!

THE YANKEES HAVE THAT CUBAN FLAVOR

The Yankees have been attached to Cuban players for a while... the that Cuban flavor keeps coming...

You remember when the Yankees liked Daniel Carbonell, right? It was a big deal back in May. He was a big strapping outfielder and they actually scouted him in February.  Only to not go further. Read (THE YANKEES REALLY LIKE THIS CUBAN OUTFIELDER)

There was also Cuban shortstop Aledmys Diaz, and the Yankees were "hot and heavy" on him, only to not really be. It was weird, but Diaz eventually signed with the Cardinals.

They did sign Adonis Garcia back in 2012. He was a 26 year old outfielder. Read YANKEES SIGN CUBAN ADONIS GARCIA. He's currently in Scranton.

Now apparently the like this new kid, Rusney Castillo and as George King III of the New York Post says, something could be brewing:

 "The Yankees held a private workout for Rusney Castillo on Friday at the minor league complex in Tampa and are interested in talking dollars with the free agent Cuban defector... the Yankees sent four scouts, the Yankees like the 27-year-old right-handed hitter as a second baseman. Other clubs believe the 5-foot-9, 205-pound Castillo’s future is in the outfield...According to a person on the grounds in Tampa, the Yankees had several talent evaluators from the professional and international side watching Castillo, who travels with a guy who hits fungoes, another who throws batting practice and a third man who towels him off in between sessions.  Castillo is represented by Roc Nation, which is headed by Jay Z."

Now all of that is well and good, but are the Yankees really serious? And think about this? They lost Robinson Cano. They are about to lose Derek Jeter to retirement. How strange is the Yankees infield going to look in the future?  My God. I just had to think about that for a second.  Brian Roberts couldn't hack it at second this season and he was eventually gonzo.  Now they have Stephen Drew and others filling in when needed... they Yankees seem pretty determined to get something done.  Maybe Castillo is the answer for the future infield. Or maybe he becomes another outfielder they will eventually need.

We will have to see. I trust the Yankee scouts.  If they see something in this kid, let's get'er done.

You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in history. Now shop at the Bleeding Yankee Blue store!  Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook!